Deminers around the world face numerous challenges in attempting to detect landmines in the field. 

Challenges include distinguishing mines from clutter, detecting mines containing very little metal and those mines buried deeply. 

The HD R&D Program is assisting deminers by developing advanced technologies to improve the capability to detect low-metal mines, and at the same time, discriminate these mines from metallic clutter.

HSTAMIDS

The Handheld Standoff Mine Detection System(HSTAMIDS), is the U.S. Army`s AN/PSS-14 dual sensor, handheld mine detector that combines an electromagnetic induction sensor and ground penetrating radar (GPR) to detect landmines. The addition of the GPR significantly reduces the detector`s false alarm rate and the time the operator spends investigating clutter, increasing the operator`s speed and effectiveness. The HD R&D Program is developing improvements to the standard HSTAMIDS to further improve its performance and reliability. The HD R&D program is also developing the HSTAMIDS F3S variant which incorporates a more sensitive metal detector to improve performance against deeply buried low metal anti-personnel (AP) and anti-tank (AT) mines. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

PARTNERS: The Halo Trust in Cambodia, Mozambique and Sri Lanka; Mines Advisory Group in Angloa and Cambodia; Cambodia Mine Action Centre

Minehound

Minehound is a commercially available dual sensor handheld detector that uses ground penetrating radar (GPR) and metal detection technology to locate landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and improvised explosive devices (IED). The GPR can be operated independently which gives Minehound the ability to detect deeper buried, low metallic threats. The GPR audio tone provides information on the size and depth of the object it detects. Twenty frequencies are available to the metal detection sub-system, which allows the Minehound to be operated in close proximity to other detectors and near power lines without causing or being subject to interference. The Minehounds metal detector also compensates for water and mineralized soil without reducing sensitivity. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

PARTNERS: The HALO Trust - Cambodia

PAC-MAG

The PAC-MAG is a man-portable Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) detection system consisting of an array of four total field magnetometers which create geo-referenced maps of large metal signatures below the ground. The system is designed to be used in any terrain that can be traversed on foot. The PAC-MAG is operated by a single individual who carries the array of magnetometers and a GPS antenna to map large areas of ground suspected of containing UXO. The sensor data and mapping information is transmitted to a ruggedized tablet computer where the data can be viewed real-time to ensure accurate data collection. After an area survey is completed, the data is post-processed to create a sorted dig list of GPS coordinates for each alarm, with the first alarm on the list having the highest likelihood of being a target of interest. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

PARTNERS: Mines Advisory Group - Lao PDR

Scorpion

Scorpion is a man-portable unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection system that utilizes a one meter wide electro-magnetic induction (EMI) sensor and a total field magnetometer to detect buried UXO objects in an overpass mode. The system uses differential global positioning system (DGPS) to provide centimeter accuracy of target locations and mapping capability. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

PARTNERS: Golden West Humanitarian Foundation - Cambodia 2012; Mines Advisory Group - 2013

Scout

The Scout Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Detection System is a trailer mounted system capable of detecting and marking UXO in an overpass mode. The system integrates a Single Transmit Multiple Receive (STMR) electro-magnetic induction (EMI) array with a differential global positioning system (DGPS) and inertial measurement unit (IMU) to provide centimeter-accurate, real-time mapping and marking of target locations. The system also houses a dye marking system that provides both target and lane marking. All electronics, positioning sensors, marking fluid and on-board power are contained inside a trailer that can be towed by any vehicle with a standard ball hitch. The sensor data and mapping information is transmitted real-time to a ruggedized laptop operator control station where the data can be overlaid on satellite imagery, aerial photographs or any geo-rectified user provided maps. The system produces an alarm dig list where each alarm includes a confidence value scaled from 0-1 and a set of GPS coordinates for that alarm. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

PARTNERS: Mines Advisory Group - 2013

MINE STALKER

The Mine Stalker system is a vehicular mine detection system optimized for anti-tank (AT) landmine road clearance. The system consists of a 3.2 meter wide ultra-wide-bandwidth ground penetrating radar (GPR) array mounted on a Multi-drive 4x4 landmine survivable tractor. Mine Stalker is equipped with advanced automatic target recognition algorithms that can reliably detect metal and low-metal anti-tank landmines. The vehicle automatically stops and physically marks mine-like objects, and displays the GPR image of the object to the operator inside the vehicle and on a remote laptop viewing station for second party viewing. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

PARTNERS: The HALO Trust - Angola

LUXOR

The Large Loop Unexploded Ordnance Remediation (LUXOR) System is a remote control vehicular UXO detection system designed for UXO site remediation. LUXOR consists of an array of three 1x1 meter wide large loop, deep search metal detectors mounted on a remote-control commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) all terrain vehicle. The LUXOR has the capability to quickly cover large areas of open terrain to locate and mark large metallic objects. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

PARTNERS: Golden West Humanitarian Foundation - Cambodia 2012

NEMESIS

Nemesis is a remotely-operated system designed to detect and mark anti-tank landmines. The base platform is a mobile, rubber-tracked skid-steer loader equipped with a differential global positioning system (DGPS) for electronically recording target locations with centimeter-level accuracy, and track encoders for maintaining a steady operating speed between 0.5 - 2.0 kilometers per hour. The detection system is comprised of a 2-meter wide electromagnetic induction metal detector array combined with a ground penetrating synthetic aperture radar array capable of detecting both low-metal and high metal anti-tank landmines. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Hedgehog

Hedgehog is a modified commercial tractor designed to detect metal case landmines and unexploded ordnance along roadsides. Modifications include armor protection for the cab, and integration of a large loop metal detection array and a vegetation cutter.